TAMPA BAY: Because the team was involved in so many back-and-forth, comeback affairs, Tampa was more pass-happy than head coach Greg Schiano would have liked. That should change this year, as they'll rely heavily on Doug Martin as the centerpiece of the offense. They'll continue to use a lot of zone blocking in front of Martin, and Erik Lorig will be on the field often as a lead blocker. They added ex-Bengal hybrid back Brian Leonard, one of Schiano's best players at Rutgers. He figures to take some passing down reps from Martin, but he won't get many carries. Rookie Mike James won't be used much either.
The Bucs brass is reportedly a little sour on Josh Freeman, and they may opt to take the ball out of his hands more. Most of what they'll do will be based off play-action and aimed at getting the big play. Vincent Jackson will continue to see a ton of passes thrown his way on the outside, with Mike Williams settled in as a complementary player. Martin will see more work in the passing game, both as a safety valve and on screens. The Bucs don't have a big role for the tight ends in this offense, but they don't have much talent at that position anyway. Tampa Bay would also like to get more run-heavy in the red zone, where Martin now takes pretty much all reps.
The Bucs boasted the NFL's No. 1 run defense (82.5 rush YPG allowed), but only because teams torched them through the air for a league-worst 297 passing YPG. Shutdown CB Darrelle Revis and hard-hitting FS Dashon Goldson will help fix the broken secondary, but the pass rush (26 sacks, T-3rd-worst in NFL) is still pretty weak, even if DE Adrian Clayborn returns 100 percent from last year's torn ACL. But there's nothing weak about non-stop WLB Lavonte David who recorded 20 TFL (3rd in NFL) as a rookie last year.

ST LOUIS: Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has always been more of a finesse coach, and the loss of Steven Jackson will force him away from the ground game. They may have to install some more zone looks, with outside runner Daryl Richardson the only proven back on the roster. Isaiah Pead, more of a one-cut back, has a shot at a bigger role after a poor showing as a rookie, as does rookie Zac Stacy. There's a chance big back Terrance Ganaway could work his way into the rotation, as the team's only true power runner.
The Rams will spread it out and go with a lot of short, catch-and-run stuff. Rookie Tavon Austin steps into Danny Amendola's slot position and should lead the team in targets, getting the ball on a lot of short and behind-the-line-of-scrimmage passes. Sam Bradford prefers to work over the middle, so there will be enough balls for Austin and TE Jared Cook, who should be option 1A. Chris Givens is a field stretcher, and they'll look for more catch-and-run stuff out of developing flanker Brian Quick. Schottenheimer has always gotten pass-happy in the red zone, and that should be the case again with no proven power runner. Expect a lot of stuff for Cook near the goal line. Austin Pettis saw a lot of red zone looks last year, though he could be pushed to the bench by Quick.
The Rams posted a whopping 52 sacks last season, which tied for the NFL lead. But this unit had just four fumble recoveries all season and failed to pick off a pass in nine of the final 12 games. Talent does exist for new defensive coordinator Tim Walton though, with DEs Chris Long (11.5 sacks) and Robert Quinn (10.5 sacks) and LB James Laurinaitis (142 tackles) standing out among the front seven, and CBs Cortland Finnegan (83 solo tackles) and Janoris Jenkins (4 INT) both strong cover men in a solid secondary.

The NFC teams with the longest playoff droughts have ensured that their runs of futility will extend for another season.

There are some signs of improvement, however, for the St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in recent weeks heading into Sunday's matchup at the Edward Jones Dome.

St. Louis (6-8) hasn't been to the postseason since the 2004 campaign while Tampa Bay's last playoff appearance came after the 2007 season.

Optimism for the future is possible since the Rams have won three of their last five games while the Buccaneers have won four of six since an 0-8 start.

Neither team is using the quarterback it began the season with since Sam Bradford is out after season-ending knee surgery and Josh Freeman was cut by Tampa Bay (4-10) on Oct. 3.

Those two were under center in Week 16 last season in St. Louis' 28-13 road win. Freeman was sacked five times and threw four interceptions, with Janoris Jenkins running one back 41 yards for a touchdown.

Tampa Bay will visit St. Louis for the first time since 2004, with Mike Glennon looking to bounce back after an uneven performance. Glennon was sacked four times and finished 18 of 34 with two touchdowns and an interception in last Sunday's 33-14 home loss to San Francisco.

The Buccaneers had a season-low 183 yards. They are last in total offense with 305.9 yards per game and have converted on a league-worst 32.0 percent of third downs.

Tampa Bay has gone 1 for 10 on third down in its last two losses.

"I think the biggest problem is first and second down and getting into those third-and-longs," Glennon said. "In the NFL when you get in third-and-long situations, it's almost impossible to get that first down."

Glennon has been sacked 14 times in the last four games. He will have to be wary of Rams defensive end Robert Quinn, who leads the NFC with 15 sacks and has forced a league-best seven fumbles.

"He's as good at tomahawk chopping the backside of the quarterback, you haven't seen a guy do it with that effectiveness since LT (Hall of Fame New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor)," Bucs coach Greg Schiano said. "LT used to - wap - knock that ball out with a vicious tomahawk chop. He's bringing it that way."

The Rams tied for the league lead with 52 sacks a year ago and have 42 to tie for fifth this season.

Quinn dropped Drew Brees twice in last week's 27-16 victory over New Orleans. The Rams held the high-powered Saints out of the end zone until the fourth quarter.

"There's a lot of character," said Quinn, who will likely match up with Bucs tackle Donald Penn, who is tied for second in the NFL with 9 1/2 sacks allowed. "We don't have much to play for except for the fun of it and guys aren't giving up or hanging their heads."

Rookie Zac Stacy rushed for 133 yards on 28 carries with a touchdown and Kellen Clemens threw two touchdowns for the Rams, who are seeking to win five games at home for the first time in three years.

Stacy leads all rookies with 854 rushing yards and his six touchdowns on the ground have come in the last six games.

Fellow rookie Tavon Austin's status is uncertain after he did not practice Wednesday. There was good news for the receiver since he is no longer in a walking boot.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher expects a difficult test from the Bucs.

"They were close in some games despite the fact that they lost eight straight, then you come back and they win four out of their last six and beat some good football teams," he said. "They hung in there.

"Their defense is playing with discipline. They're getting a lot of turnovers. They run the football and the quarterback's throwing the ball well, so it's a talented team. It's a very dangerous team at the end of the season."